No scoring off the field, Argos coach says

TORONTO — Scott Milanovich wants the Toronto Argonauts to control their libido during Grey Cup week.

The Argos rookie head coach says he doesn’t want his players scoring off the field prior to the big game. Toronto takes on the Calgary Stampeders for the CFL championship Sunday at Rogers Centre.

But he also has a personal reason for taking this approach.

“I have two young daughters at home right now that are probably watching this news conference so my take on it is going to be I believe in abstinence,” Milanovich said Wednesday, answering what has become the traditional last question of the Grey Cup coaches news conference.

John Hufnagel, Calgary’s head coach and general manager who led the Stampeders to the 2008 Grey Cup, is leaving matters of the heart to his players.

“About a quarter the way through the season when our lineup was like a revolving door we had the motto ‘No excuses, just results,’ ” he said. “And when the new season started, that being the playoffs, our motto became: ‘Don’t do your best, do whatever it takes.’

“Hopefully that answers your question.”

Milanovich said the Argos will impose a curfew starting Thursday, one night before the Stampeders will put theirs in place.

“I’ve just tried to impress upon them the importance, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and you don’t want to have any regrets,” Milanovich said. “They’ve got the rest of their lives to party.

“If they don’t take the seriousness and all the distractions that come about with playing in a Grey Cup and going out on the street and feeling good about being here, then they’re going to regret the missed opportunity. We tried to have a little fun (Tuesday night) with the pep rally but we’ll lock it down pretty good, starting today.”

Hufnagel, whose club captured the ‘08 Grey Cup title in Montreal over the hometown Alouettes, has no problems leaving the issue of pre-game sex up to his players.

“This isn’t the first road trip that they’ve taken and I’d expect them to do the things necessary throughout the day and evening to give themselves a chance to win this game,” he said. “They’re grown men, I respect that, and I have not been disappointed.”